Objective To select the aptamer to an extracellular soluble fragment of recombinant human TGF-? receptor Ⅱ (TGF-? RⅡ) in order to antagonize TGF-? effectively by using systematic evolution of ligants by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Methods Initial random RNA library was transcripted in vitro from ssDNA 5′-TAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGGACGATGCGG-N60-CAGACGACTCCCCGA-3′; rhTGF-? RⅡ was used as target protein. Totally,selection of 8 times was carried out in SELEX experiment. Membrane binding assay was performed to detect the evolution of enriched RNA library; Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was done to determine the affinity between the selected nucleic acid sequence and TGF-? RⅡ. Results Evolution of the enriched RNA library along the increased affinity to TGF-? RⅡ was observed with the development of selection. Two types of dominant sequences were isolated and named as sequence A and sequence B. In membrane binding assay,both sequences A and B showed obvious affinity to TGF-? RⅡ. However,no retarded bands were seen in EMSA. Conclusion The affinity of sequences A and B to TGF-? RⅡ is beyond satisfaction. However,possible sequences with improved affinity to TGF-? RⅡ can be selected by post-SELEX on the basis of candidate sequences A and B.

Objective To study the effect of human G-coupled protein kinase 4(GRK4) A142V overexpression on angiotensin Ⅱ1 type(AT1 ) receptor and its-mediated proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells .Methods We constructed a lentiviral vec-tor carrying human GRK4-EGFP gene and observed its expression in A10 cells .Expression of AT1 receptor were determined by im-munoblotting ,GRK4 activity were checked by spectrophotometry ;the linkage between GRK4 and AT1 receptor were determined by co-immunoprecipitation .[3 H] thymidine incorporation was used to detect changes of cell proliferation .Results As compared with the control cells ,A142V-transfected cells had higher GRK4 activity and higher AT1 receptor expression ;there was linkage between GRK4 and AT1 receptor ,the co-immunoprecipitation levels were lower in A142V cells .The basal levels of VSMC proliferation was higher in A142V cells ,Ang Ⅱ increased VSMC proliferation to a greater extent in A 142V cells .Conclusion GRK4 A142V ,via in-creasing GRK4 activity ,increases AT1 receptor expression and function in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation .

In order to investigate the distribution of Yersinia enterocolitica in Citellus dauricus plague focuses in Inner Mongolia,three different ecological environ/ments were chosen as the sampling area.Feces,tongue roots throat swabs,and intestinal contents of rodent,livestock,and poultry were separately collected,and different Y.enterocolitica strains were isolated,and identified.PCR analysis was conducted to detect the toxicity genes of Y.enterocolitica.Statiscal analysis was performed by chisquare test.Of the 3 260 samples,65 Y.enterocolitica strains were isolated and the overall detection rate was 1.99％.To include O ∶ 3/3,O ∶ 5/1A,O ∶ 4/4 serum biological type,the pathogenic strain of serotype O ∶ 3 and biological typt 3 carryinq toxicity genes ail,ystA,VirF yadA and rfbc was isolated from pigs in Citellus dauricus plague focuses,Inner Mongolia are the major carrier of pathogenic Y.enterocolitica distributed in three different ecological environment,and distributed mainly in agricultural area.

We constructed the plasmid containing the integrated open reading frame (ORF) HPV11 genome, and identified its function, to lay foundation for production of transgenic animal models of HPV11. Recombinant plasmid pQE-Trisystem- EGFP/HPV11 (pE/H) and pQE-Trisystem-EGFP/1.1 copy HPV11 (pE/1.1H) were constructed. Then, the human keratinocyte (KC) was transfected by pE/1.1H, pE/H and closed circular HPV11 and detected. The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The expression of HPV11E6 gene was detected in the experimental group. Fluorescence was observed in the pE/1.1H and pE/H group. The HPV11, pE/H, and pE/1.1 enhanced the KC proliferation, with remarkable differences (P < 0.01) from the control group. Amongst the three experimental groups, pE/1.1H was found to be the weakest. The plasmid containing the integrated ORF of HPV11 (1.1 copy HPV11) genome was successfully constructed. The pE/1.1H had the same phenotype of wild-type HPV11 genome. It provided experimental material and methodological guidance for studying the low-risk HPV, as well as for the production of HPV11 transgenic mice.
Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Human papillomavirus 11 ; genetics ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective: To explore the effects of oxidative stress on renal dopamine D₁ receptor dysfunction in offspring of diabetic rat dams. Methods: The pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (n=10) were randomly divided into the diabetic group (a single intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin on day 0 of gestation) and control group (injected with the equal volume of 0.9% saline on day 0 of gestation) according to the random number table (n=5 each group). The offspring rats were divided into 4 groups including offspring of control dams treated with vehicle, offspring of control dams treated with antioxidant, offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle and offspring of diabetic dams treated with antioxidant (n=10 each group). After birth, the offspring rats were treated with normal drinking water or antioxidant (tempol, 1.0 mmol/L) from the age of 4 weeks until the end of the study (20 weeks). The blood pressure was monitored continuously by non-invasive tail-cuff method. The renal oxidative markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity and D₁ receptor agonist (fenoldopam)-mediated urinary and sodium excretion were detected. Furthermore, the protein expression of renal G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), GRK4, dopamine D₁ receptor and the phosphorylation level of D₁ receptor were detected. Results: The mean arterial pressure of offspring from the diabetic dams treated with vehicle was significantly higher than that of offspring from control dams treated with vehicle (P=0.013), while the mean arterial pressure of offspring from diabetic dams treated with antioxidant was significantly lower than that of offspring from the diabetic dams treated with vehicle (P=0.038). The fenoldopam-mediated urinary flow and urinary sodium excretion rate were significantly lower in offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle than those in offspring of control dams treated with vehicle (P<0.01), which were significantly higher in offspring of diabetic dams treated with antioxidant as compared to offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle (both P<0.01). There was no significant difference in fenoldopam-mediated urinary flow and urinary sodium excretion rate in offspring of control dams treated with antioxidant or vehicle (urinary flow: P=0.772; urinary sodium excretion rate: P=0.716). Compared with offspring of control dams treated with vehicle, the renal MDA activity was significantly increased, while the SOD activity was significantly decreased in offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle (MDA: P<0.01; SOD: P=0.013). The renal MDA activity was significantly decreased, while the SOD activity was significantly increased in offspring of diabetic dams treated with antioxidant in comparison with offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle (MDA: P<0.01; SOD: P=0.035).The renal GRK2 and GRK4 protein expression in offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle were significantly higher than those in offspring of control dams treated with vehicle (P<0.01), while the expression levels of renal GRK2 and GRK4 in offspring of diabetic dams treated with antioxidant were significantly downregulated compared with offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the protein expression of dopamine D₁ receptor among 4 groups (P=0.735). The level of dopamine D₁ receptor phosphorylation in offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle was significantly higher than that in offspring of control dams treated with vehicle (P<0.01), while the dopamine D₁ receptor phosphorylation level was significantly lower in offspring of diabetic dams treated with antioxidant compared to that in offspring of diabetic dams treated with vehicle (P<0.01). Conclusion Oxidative stress is involved in the dopamine D₁ receptors dysfunction in the offspring of diabetic dams.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients infected with novel coronavirus Omicron variant in Shanghai, as to provide a reference for epidemic prevention, clinical diagnosis, and treatment.Methods:Altogether 4 264 novel coronavirus Omicron variant-infected patients with positive results of nucleic acid admitted to Shanghai New International Expo Center N3 Mobile Cabin Hospital from April 2 to May 7, 2022, were included. The demographic and baseline clinical characteristics, treatment strategy, prognosis, and different factors affecting the length of hospital stay were analyzed.Results:A total of 4 264 novel coronavirus variant Omicron-infected cases were collected, including 3 111 cases (73.0%) asymptomatic infections and 1 153 cases (27.0%) mild infections. The overall median age was 45 (33, 55) years old with a range from 2 years old to 81 years old. The male to female ratio was 1.37∶1. Altogether 3 305 cases (77.5%) had been vaccinated, of which 3 166 cases completed more than 2 doses. The upper respiratory tract symptoms such as cough and expectoration were the most common clinical manifestations of these infected patients. During the course of the disease, patients with asymptomatic infection were mainly treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM, 55.1%) and clinical observation (36.8%), and those with mild infection were mainly treated with TCM (42.2%) or integrated Chinese and Western medicine (30.4%). All patients were cured and discharged. The overall median length of hospital stay and the negative conversion time of nucleic acid were 9 (6, 10) days and 8 (5, 9) days, respectively. Compared with the asymptomatic infected patients, the hospitalization duration and the nucleic acid negative conversion time of the mildly infected patients were slightly longer [days: 10 (8, 11) vs. 9 (5, 10); 8 (6, 10) vs. 7 (4, 9), both P < 0.001]. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the increasing age and mild infection were associated with longer hospitalization duration, and the treatment of TCM or integrated Chinese and Western medicine was associated with shortened length of hospital stay (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The current novel coronavirus Omicron variant epidemic in Shanghai mainly caused asymptomatic and mild infections. The young and middle-aged population had a relatively high infection rate. The upper respiratory tract symptoms such as cough and expectoration were the most common clinical symptoms. Elderly and confirmed patients had prolonged hospitalization duration, while for patients receiving TCM treatment, the hospitalization duration was shortened.

The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway is essential for cellular proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development. Gain and loss of function of Hh signalling are known to result in an array of craniofacial malformations. To determine the critical period for Hh pathway antagonist-induced frontal bone hypoplasia, we examined patterns of dysmorphology caused by Hh signalling inhibition. Pregnant mice received a single oral administration of Hh signalling inhibitor GDC-0449 at 100 mg•kg or 150 mg•kg body weight at preselected time points between embryonic days (E)8.5 and 12.5. The optimal teratogenic concentration of GDC-0449 was determined to be 150 mg•kg. Exposure between E9.5 and E10.5 induced frontal bone dysplasia, micrognathia and limb defects, with administration at E10.5 producing the most pronounced effects. This model showed decreased ossification of the frontal bone with downregulation of Hh signalling. The osteoid thickness of the frontal bone was significantly reduced. The amount of neural crest-derived frontal bone primordium was reduced after GDC-0449 exposure owing to a decreased rate of cell proliferation and increased cell death.
Administration, Oral ; Anilides ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bone Diseases, Developmental ; chemically induced ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Female ; Frontal Bone ; abnormalities ; Hedgehog Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Limb Deformities, Congenital ; chemically induced ; Mice ; Micrognathism ; chemically induced ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Objective: To explore the synergistic effect of silibinin combined with crizotinib on anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive (ALK+ ) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and its mechanism. Methods: H2228 and H3122 cells were treated with silibinin, crizotinib alone or in combination. Cell proliferation was measured by 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and colony formation assay. Migration or invasion ability was tested by wound healing assay or transwell assay, respectively. Expressions of E-Cadherin and vimentin protein were examined by immunofluorescence staining. The protein expressions of ALK, p-ALK, E-Cadherin and Vimentin were detected by western blotting.The anti-cancer effect of silibinin combined with crizotinib in vivo was determined by subcutaneously injecting 2×10⁶ H2228 cells into immunodeficient nude mice. Results: The result of MTT assay showed that the cell viability of H2228 or H3122 treated with 100 μmol/L silibinin was (88.38±4.10)% or (72.27±3.62)%, respectively, marginally decreased compared with that of the control. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of H2228 cells treated with crizotinib alone or combined with 100 μmol/L silibinin was (917.10±7.75) nmol/L or (238.73±7.67) nmol/L, respectively. The IC₅₀ of H3122 cells treated with crizotinib alone or combined with 100 μmol/L silibinin was (472.50±15.70) nmol/L or (206.10±12.01) nmol/L, respectively. The IC_50s of H2228 and H3122 cells were significantly decreased by combined treatment of crizotinib and silibinin compared to crizotinib treatment alone (P<0.01). When compared with the control group, colony forming ratios of H2228 cells were (83.34±2.72)% in 100 μmol/L silibinin treatment group, (69.42±3.06)% in 400 nmol/L crizotinib treatment group and (27.32±1.42)% in combined treatment group. When compared with the control group, colony forming ratios of H3122 cells were (84.45±5.67)% in 100 μmol/L silibinin treatment group, (45.02±5.83)% in 400 nmol/L crizotinib treatment group and (17.43±3.83)% in combined treatment group. Silibinin combined with crizotinib treatment significantly inhibited the colony formation ability of H2228 and H3122 cells (P<0.01). Migration and invasion results showed that combined treatment of crizotinib and silibinin markedly inhibited the migration and invasion ability of H2228 cells (P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that treated with silibinin alone or in combination of crozitinib for 48 hours, the protein level of E-cadherin in H2228 cells was upregulated, while the expressions of p-ALK and vimentin were downregulated, without obvious alteration of ALK protein expression. In the xenograft model, the mean tumor weight was (9.40±2.58)g in crizotinib treatment group and (4.58±1.07)g in the combined treatment group. The inhibitory effect of tumor growth in vivo of combined treatment was significantly superior to that of crizotinib treatment alone (P<0.05). Conclusion Silibinin enhances the inhibitory effect of crizotinib on ALK positive NSCLC cells, which may be associated with suppression of ALK activity and mesenchymal-epithelial transition.

OBJECTIVES: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is one of the most common etiologies of viral meningitis/encephalitis. The early clinical manifestations and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes of VZV meningitis/encephalitis lack specificity, and it is easy to be misdiagnosed as other viral encephalitides or tuberculous meningitis. This study aims to investigate whether the clinical characteristics, CSF analysis findings, and CSF cytokine levels could distinguish VZV meningitis/encephalitis from central nervous system (CNS) herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infections. METHODS: The medical records from 157 CNS infections, including 49 HSV (45 HSV-1, 4 HSV-2), 55 VZV, and 53 MTB infections between January 2018 and June 2021 in the Cytology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were retrospectively reviewed. The data of 3 groups included demographic characteristics, laboratory results, radiographic findings, and outcomes. The levels of 12 cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17, IFN-γ, IFN-α, and TNF-α) in the CSF of 68 patients (13 HSV, 22 VZV, and 33 MTB infection cases) were quantified. Clinical and laboratory data were compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: The most common clinical manifestations in the 3 groups were fever, headache, vomiting, and neck stiffness. The clinical manifestations of HSV and VZV CNS disease were similar, although fever and altered consciousness were less common in the VZV group than those in the HSV and MTB groups (63.6% vs 87.8% vs 96.2%, P<0.001, and 14.5% vs 26.5% vs 47.2%, P=0.004, respectively). Seven patients (7/55, 12.7%) presented cutaneous zoster in the VZV group. CSF leukocyte count was significantly higher in the VZV group (230×10⁶ cells/mL) and MTB groups (276×10⁶ cells/mL) than that in the HSV group (87×10⁶ cells/mL, P=0.002). CSF protein level was significantly higher in the VZV than that in the HSV group (1 034 mg/L vs 694 mg/L, P=0.011) but lower than that in the MTB group (1 744 mg/L, P<0.001). IL-6 (VZV vs HSV vs MTB: 2 855.93 pg/mL vs 2 128.26 pg/mL vs 354.77 pg/mL, P=0.029) and IL-8 (VZV vs HSV vs MTB: 4 001.46 pg/mL vs 1 578.11 pg/mL vs 1 023.25 pg/mL, P=0.046) levels were significantly different among the 3 groups and were elevated in the VZV group.Post hoc analysis revealed that IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher in the VZV group than those in the MTB group (P=0.002 and P=0.035, respectively), but not in the HSV group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS VZV meningitis/encephalitis presents with CSF hypercellularity and proteinemia, challenging the classical view of CSF profiles in viral encephalitis. CSF IL-6 and IL-8 levels are elevated in patients with VZV meningitis/encephalitis, indicating a more intense inflammatory response in these patients.
Humans ; Central Nervous System Infections ; Encephalitis ; Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster/diagnosis* ; Encephalitis, Viral/diagnosis* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Meningitis ; Retrospective Studies